When it comes to choosing the right toothbrush, some general guidelines can ensure you’re using the best tool to clean your teeth thoroughly. However, the toothbrush you use will not have the biggest impact on your oral health.
As long as you are brushing for 2 minutes twice a day as well as regular flossing and visiting the dentist every 6 months, your toothbrush will have minimal impact on your oral hygiene.
That being said, certain toothbrushes are too firm, which can cause damage to your teeth and gums. There certainly are toothbrushes that are better than others. Read on to find out what are the tooth brushing best practices.
It is recommended that you use a soft-bristle toothbrush to brush your teeth. Hard-bristle toothbrushes can apply too much pressure and cause bleeding of the gums. Using a soft-bristle brush ensures that you apply gentle pressure to protect your enamel and gums.
Stiffer bristles do not provide any more efficient cleaning power than soft-bristle brushes do. On a similar note, make sure you are only gently brushing your teeth. The goal is to remove food particles, plaque, and bacteria, not to strip your enamel.
While choosing the size and shape of your toothbrush is mostly a personal preference, smaller toothbrush heads are better equipped at getting into small crevices to remove food particles and bacteria.
The back molars are particularly difficult to adequately clean when using a large flat head toothbrush. To gain better control, a toothbrush with a smaller head and a wavy pattern will be the most effective at cleaning hard-to-reach places.
While dentists will generally tell you that electric toothbrushes are no more effective than a normal toothbrush, this all comes down to how you’re using them. The truth is, traditional toothbrushes can be just as effective as electric ones, but they require more effort to do so.
By using electric toothbrushes, your hand is less prone to cramping, the two minutes of brushing goes by faster, and the spinning and oscillating brushes assist you in scrubbing. A 2013 study has shown that electric toothbrushes were more effective at eliminating plaque buildup, which reduces the risk of developing gum disease.
It is so important to stress good oral hygiene practices in early childhood. The importance you place on maintaining good oral health will have an influence on them for the rest of their lives. One of the ways you can make tooth brushing for kids more enjoyable and consistent is to get them a toothbrush they will be excited to use.
You’ve probably noticed by now that toothbrush companies love to use superheroes, cartoon characters, and fun colors that appeal to kids in their marketing. There’s a reason for this. While it may not impact the actual function of the toothbrush, they may feel more inclined to use something that brings them joy.
In addition to choosing a design that appeals to your child, you should also ensure that the head of the toothbrush is small enough to get into small crevices. If you have an infant, you’ll need to get a toothbrush that’s designed for infants. These toothbrushes will have extra-soft bristles and a large handle.
While choosing the right toothbrush can help you clean your teeth more effectively and efficiently, there are limits to what a single toothbrush can do. A lot of your oral health comes down to consistency in how long and often you brush and floss your teeth.
Another part of oral health consistency is visiting your dentist for a cleaning and checkup every 6 months to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Are you due for a cleaning? Contact us at Woburn Dental Associates to schedule a dental cleaning today.
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